Newcastle
At the last count, 137 bars could be found walking one square mile of Newcastle’s city centre. Is it any wonder then that it has been voted one of the world’s top ten places to party and is ranked in the top three best cities to visit in a Guardian poll?
While vistiors famously return raving about its friendly people and relaxed atmosphere, architects wont agree. They’ll tell you the city’s appeal is its magnificent bridges and in particular Tyne Bridge which became the prototype for Sydney Harbour’s proud edifice.
Historians have other ideas – they’ll say Newcastle’s best bits are its battlements. The legendary Hadrian’s Wall stands guard close by, following the banks of the river Tyne, as does the remains of the Roman fort Segendunum.
But whatever you’re after in Newcastle we’ll get you there. With a PLUSBUS ticket you can discover the three rivers on the Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland route. Or jump on the Tyne and Wear Metro and be zapped underground to your next destination. Buy a Tyne and Wear Rover ticket and you’ll gain unlimited access to Newcastle’s transport system – ferry, metro or bus – the choice is yours!
Life Science Centre
Currently undergoing a 4.5 million pound transformation, the already popular Life Science Centre will soon be launching its visitors out of this world. Look out for ‘the Dome’ where you can jump on board the Lifeseeker for a fact finding mission in space or you could choose to visit the South Pole, one of the world’s hottests deserts and go where no man’s gone before on planet Mars. With dozens of displays on human and animal life on earth, you could well leave here with the meaning of life. For more information visit www.lifesciencecentre.co.uk or call 0191 243 8223.
Make the connection: A 2 minute walk from Newcastle Central train station.
Metroland
Have a massage, fix your computer, go to the flicks or ride a rollercoaster. Just about anything is possible at Europe’s largest shopping and leisure centre, Metroland. Take advantage of the free shopping angels to revolutionise your wardrobe or drop the kids in the indoor theme park where they can take to the high seas on the Swashbuckling Pirate Ship or fly through the air on the Waveswinger ride. With hundreds of shops, over 50 restaurants and plethora activities and services, this is a day out that you’ll wish could go on forever.
For more information visit www.metrocentre-gateshead.co.uk or call 0191 4930219.
Make the Connection: You can catch the Shuttle 100 from Newcastle Central train station.
Segedunum Roman Fort, Baths and Museum
In AD122 the Emperor Hadrian ordered a mighty frontier system to be built across Britain to defend the Roman Empire. And so Segedunum became the final outpost for Hadrian’s famous wall. For almost 300 years the fort was home to 600 Roman soldiers. Today it stands as a monument in its own right, dedicated to the soldiers who lived worked and died there and as the proud gateway to the World Heritage Site and Britain’s most celebrated wall. 32 For more information visit
www.twmuseums.org.uk/segedunum or call 0191 236 9347.
Make the Connection: Catch the Metro shuttle and get off at Wallsend, the museum is opposite the Wallsend Metro station.